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War Begins; A Remembrance of Peace Through Individual Action

Entry #14
I’m just writing to express my abhorence to find out about the death of fellow Evergreen student and Olympia native peace activist Rachel Corrie in Israeli occupied Gaza. For years I have held a strong belief that Israel regularly violates human rights by destroying homes of political enemies and suspected militants.I remember reading several years ago about how a woman had lost her son to political extremism. Her son had been recruited by the Hamas militia to act as a suicide bomber against Israel. Even though she and her family were peace loving, soon after the bombing, the Israeli government bulldozed her home, as a warning to other Palestinians to not oppose the marginalization and occupation that has become their existence since 1949. This was done without any warning or chance to argue their case in front of a judge, and without remuneration of any kind. This is a standard tactic used by the IDF in the Israeli/Palistinian conflict, which I have seen repeated time and time again over the years.

Violence begets violence and creates divisions between peoples, destroying the social fabric of community and brotherhood that characterizes our advanced civilization. To destroy the home of your enemy, without any due process of law, or oversight of any kind, is the basest form of hatred and abomination against mankind.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, and U.S. President George Bush, Jr. appears poised to open the pandora’s box which may bring on World War Three, as he attacks Iraq at a time when stability in the Middle East is at an all time low.

Besides St. Patrick, who’s story is one of bringing the message of the unity of mankind, brotherly love and community to Ireland, I am reminded of St. Godric. the story of both of these men’s lives has had a positive impact on my life, my values and my attitute toward how we should treat our fellow human beings, whether they are like us or not. Gandi, Buddha, and others come to mind, too. Now, due to the death of a 23 year old local women that I didn’t really know, I have one more role model to remind me how to live a better life, promote non-violence and hopefully help to create a better world, and a livable future.

From: Godfather
Tue Apr 15, 2003 @ 1:49 pm

Nice piece on Rachel. I am planing to go to Gaza in late August til early september and then go to the MPA degree program. Sadly, since you wrote this, two other members of the ISM have been shot in the head. I’m sure you are aware of the reported circustances surrounding these war crimes. It seems the old USA is not in favor of world democracy just our brand in our country. Otherwise, we ould stay in the UN and act like a member not the ruler. On it goes….

Nice piece on Rachel. I am planing to go to Gaza in late August til early september and then go to the MPA degree program. Sadly, since you wrote this, two other members of the ISM have been shot in the head. I’m sure you are aware of the reported circustances surrounding these war crimes. It seems the old USA is not in favor of world democracy just our brand in our country. Otherwise, we ould stay in the UN and act like a member not the ruler. On it goes….